Global Aviation Expansion: Airlines Launch New Routes and Strengthen International Networks
Major Airlines Expand Global Networks with New Routes
September 2025 marks a significant expansion in global aviation as major carriers including Scandinavian Airlines, Alaska Airlines Group, and KLM are introducing new long-haul intercontinental routes.
Asia-Pacific Connections Strengthen
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is launching its inaugural nonstop service between Copenhagen and Seoul on September 12. The route will operate four times weekly using Airbus A350-900 aircraft, reducing to three weekly flights during winter. This addition follows SAS’s strategic shift to SkyTeam alliance, with Korean Air as a partner. The schedule is optimized to connect with SAS’s evening bank in Copenhagen, facilitating one-stop access across Europe.
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are also expanding their presence in Asia with new Seattle-Seoul flights starting September 12, operating five times weekly using Hawaiian’s A330-200 aircraft. This expansion follows Alaska Air Group’s acquisition of Hawaiian in 2024. The group has ambitious plans to serve at least 12 nonstop international destinations with widebody aircraft from Seattle by 2030.
Middle East and European Developments
Etihad Airways is strengthening its network with a daily Abu Dhabi-Taipei route launching September 7 using 787-9 aircraft. Later this month, the carrier will also introduce Abu Dhabi-Peshawar flights, connecting the UAE capital with northwestern Pakistan.
China Eastern Airlines is launching nonstop Shanghai Pudong-Barcelona flights from September 26, operating four times weekly with A350-900s. The airline has already expanded its European network this year with routes to Paris, Milan, Copenhagen, Geneva, and Istanbul. Chinese carriers maintain a competitive advantage through continued access to Russian airspace, enabling shorter and more fuel-efficient routes.
Industry Challenges and Future Outlook
The aviation industry is experiencing significant shifts, with United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby declaring the era of ultra-discount airlines in the USA over, as carriers like Spirit and Frontier face financial challenges and work to revamp their business models. In response to market changes, United Airlines is expanding its winter schedule, adding flights to 15 cities including Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Las Vegas.
